Etowah County Crime & Safety

Etowah County, Alabama

Safety Score

17/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2215.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

235.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1980.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

17/100

Higher = safer

State avg 40/100

State Safety Rank

#51

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Etowah County, Alabama

Etowah Safety Score Matches State Trends

Etowah County reports a total crime rate of 2,215.8 per 100K, slightly under the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 96.5, indicating moderate security relative to the country.

Higher Incident Density Than Alabama Average

While the safety score is 96.5, the total crime rate of 2,215.8 is notably higher than the state average of 1,731.0. This places Etowah among the more active counties for law enforcement in Alabama.

Crime Levels High Compared to Neighbors

Etowah County sees significantly more activity than adjacent DeKalb County, where crime rates are nearly three times lower. Nine reporting agencies work to manage these higher incident volumes.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime is the major contributor to local totals, reaching 1,980.7 per 100K residents. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 235.1 remains lower than the national average of 369.8.

Securing Property Against Local Theft

With property crime being the most prevalent issue, residents should focus on securing valuables and outbuildings. Visible security cameras can serve as a strong deterrent for potential intruders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Etowah County, AL?

Etowah County has a total crime rate of 2215.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (235.1 per 100K) and property crimes (1980.7 per 100K).

Is Etowah County, AL safe?

Etowah County has a safety score of 17/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #51 out of 67 counties in Alabama for safety (1 = safest).

How does Etowah County crime compare to the Alabama average?

While the safety score is 96.5, the total crime rate of 2,215.8 is notably higher than the state average of 1,731.0. This places Etowah among the more active counties for law enforcement in Alabama.

What types of crime are most common in Etowah County?

Property crime is the major contributor to local totals, reaching 1,980.7 per 100K residents. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 235.1 remains lower than the national average of 369.8.

How is crime data measured and reported for Etowah County?

Crime data for Etowah County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Etowah County?

Etowah County has a safety score of 17/100, which is below the Alabama average of 40/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.